Mysore

Mysore has a lovely, spacious feel, despite the fact that it is Karnataka's second city. This is partly because of its elegant layout, around the granite and marble Maharaja's Palace at the foot of the Chamundi Hills, and partly because of its pleasant climate. Until Independence it was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore, ruled - bar a brief period in the 18th century - by the Wodeyar dynasty, great investors in art, music and culture. Famed for its silk, incense and carved sandalwood, it is still a wonderful place for shopping, particularly around lively Devaraja Market. In the hills are the 12th-century Sri Chamundeswari Temple, built by the Hoysala rulers, which has fine views over the city and a nandi (bull) carved in 1659 from a single piece of black granite on its approach. There are also the remains of buildings raised by Tipu Sultan, who reigned from 1761-1799 and was responsible for the city's airy plan. His fort, Srirangapatnam, lies about half an hour's drive from Mysore, encircled by the river Kaveri. Tipu Sultan's summer palace is now a museum, set in gardens, with a series of murals showing scenes from his military life. He was killed here by the British and both he and his father, Hyder Ali, are buried in the gardens.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson